If you are interested in volunteering please read all of the following information carefully. It should answer most of your questions. Should you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it :

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us at Play Kenya.. if you are ready to apply please head over to our Volunteer Interest Form and fill in the details and we will get back to you asap!

We take volunteers from all walks of life!

Playful young at heart people who will enrich the lives of the community, including Therapists, Teachers, Gardeners, Carpenters, Doctors, Nurses, Admin staff, Dentists, Accountants, IT folk, Students, you name it and we welcome the right people to Play Kenya - people with love in their hearts to share with the community in many areas.  You can see our current projects here.

You must be 18 years old to volunteer with us unless accompanied by a guardian.  We have a max stay of 2 months for all volunteers (unless stated otherwise)

Visa

You will need a Kenyan visitors visa before you arrive in Kenya.
You have 2 options on how you can get this visa.
1. You can buy this at the airport when you arrive in Nairobi (this is the airport you would need to fly into) for $50 American Dollars.
2. Or you can organise the visa before you leave by contacting the Kenyan Embassy. You can also have your travel agent arrange this for you at a fee.
The benefit of having your visa before you arrive is no waiting in line to get one which can sometimes take up to 1 hour!?  Once you arrive in Kenya you will need to advise what the reason is for your visit. DO NOT make note that you are working but just advise that you are on holiday 'visiting' as you require a work visa if you are working...
The address of our home for you to note down when you are applying for the visa is:  Rafiki Mwema. Free Area. Lanet. Nakuru

Flight

The airport you need to fly into is 'Nairobi Kenyatta International Airport' - NBO
Extra Baggage (to bring supplies over for children)
Sometimes volunteers can get permission to take extra luggage by contacting the airline that you have booked with. All you have to do is phone the airline and say that you are going to the home to do volunteer work and that you need extra luggage to donate children's clothing, etc and then get written permission from them. (not all airlines co-operate) Make sure you keep it with your passport and airline ticket so you have proof of permission.

Immunizations

immunization is entirely up to the individual, if they prefer to have them then that is fine. Most doctors will recommend Malaria, Yellow Fever and a few other things but you would be best to contact your GP or Travel Agent regarding this.

Vaccinations:

Hepatitis A - Recommended for all travelers
Typhoid - Recommended for all travelers
Yellow fever - Recommended for all travelers greater than nine months of age
Polio - One-time booster recommended for any adult traveler who completed the childhood series but never had polio vaccine as an adult
Hepatitis B - For travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than 6 months
Rabies - For travelers who may have direct contact with animals and may not have access to medical care
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) - Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given
Tetanus-diphtheria - Revaccination recommended every 10 years

Fees

The cost is KS18,000 PER WEEK (around £135 sterling/200 USD).
One week must be paid at the time of booking confirmation and is non-returnable if you choose to cancel to come and stay and be involved in our projects and includes bed and breakfast.
Please note we suggest you fly into Nairobi in DAYLIGHT or you will need to stay overnight in Nairobi and pay for hotel as it is not safe to travel at night.

If you would like to stay in Nairobi the night please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and make sure you let them know that PLAY KENYA sent you! If you want to go on an amazing safari while you are in Kenya please have a look at their web site http://www.enaidurabigstep.com/ and mention Play Kenya

What should I bring?

We recommend you bring your 'debit card' with you as you will be able to withdraw money from ATM's in the area. Do not bring travelers cheque's as you will not be able to cash them. The only money you can convert easily is US dollars so don't bring any other money hoping the banks will convert as they may but they will probably say no. We suggest you bring just a small amount of US dollars for when you first arrive (perhaps $60 in $20 notes) just in case you get in a situation and the ATM's are not working. 
Personal toiletries. You can buy items here but not all the brands.
We suggest you bring a pair of runners incase you like walking, running or aerobics. Flip Flops/Crocs, you will spend most of your time in them. Maybe a pair of sandals/comfy shoes for town etc.
No need to pack too much clothes as you end up wearing the same thing most of the time anyway!  Jeans/Cargo trousers, 3 quarter trousers... that kind of stuff.  Long shorts are ok, short shorts are not advisable.  Tank tops are fine as long as they are not low cut/revealing (mostly to be worn at home, avoid wearing into town) Short tops that expose your midriff are not advisable. Please keep in mind that we have Kenyan male staff that work on the premise. Warm jumper for mornings and evenings. We also recommend you to bring 2 casual/dressy outfits. i.e. skirt (knee high length is ok) and top, or dress incase you wish to go to church or some other function.
Flashlight You do NOT need to bring mosquito nets, towels or bedding. All will be supplied.

How can I be contacted?

Once in Kenya, do not worry... you can be contacted!  There are cyber cafes in Nakuru town that is VERY cheap.
If you have a tri band phone that will work in Europe/UK then it will work here in Kenya (as long as it is not locked to a provider) you can bring your phone and but an African sim card once here. These are approx $2 to purchase. You can text and receive texts very cheaply and i find this is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. They can call you and you can call them but this is usually very expensive.
If you have 3G on your phone you will be able to connect to internet if you get a safari com SIM card. Please see info below from Safari com.
We currently have 3G within Nakuru town and are expanding to other major towns within the country. If you have a 3G modem (2100MHz band) you will be able to connect using Safari com 3G network with a Safari com SIM.

If you have read through the above info and you are wanting to volunteer with us in Kenya please fill out out Volunteer Interest Form and we will get back to you!